College students celebrate national sporting success

NULC Academy of Sport students Emily Horton and Rai Simons.

Three students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s (NULC) Academy of Sport have been selected to represent England by the British Colleges Sport (BCS).

Emily Horton, aged 17 from Newcastle has been selected for the English Colleges under 19’s ladies football squad, Rai Simons, aged 17, from Hanley for the English Colleges under 17 men’s football Squad, and Kieran Bedford, aged 16 from Madeley for the English Colleges under 19 men’s hockey squad.

Trevor Humphreys, Manager of the Academy of Sport said: “This selection is a testament to the hard work and dedication Emily, Rai and Kieran have put in whilst at NULC. It also highlights the College's commitment to sport and the fantastic opportunities available to students at Newcastle-under-Lyme College.”

The three students fought off strong competition from students across the country and went through a number of local, regional and national trials to achieve their places on the national squads.
 
The three students also form a group of 12 students who have reached West Midlands squads, with students representing a range of sports.

The skilled students are part of the Academy of Sport’s Elite Sports Performance Programme (ESPP), members of which receive benefits including financial support, free use of the facilities at the Gordon Banks Sports Centre and visits to university workshops.

Trevor added: “This recent success further enforces Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s status as the top college in the West Midlands for sport.”

Emily in action at the Britannia Stadium.

The NULC Academy of Sport was awarded West Midlands College of the Year by the BCS in 2012 and had a record breaking year with a number of Academy of Sport teams competing in regional and national competitions including the ladies football, men’s basketball, netball, men’s volleyball, ladies volleyball, mixed volleyball, rugby and table tennis team’s with all teams making it through to either the finals or semi-finals. The College also had record success at the British Colleges National Cup Finals with a haul of gold and silver medals and three national champions.  .

To find out more about the Academy of Sport visit www.nulc.ac.uk/sport or contact Trevor Humphreys on 01782 254269 or sport@nulc.ac.uk.